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Economy of Burundi vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 169/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Burundi vs Gabon GDP by year

Burundi
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Gabon
2024 $3,082,433,067 $20,895,684,426
2023 $3,430,949,250 $19,388,372,071
2022 $4,036,192,553 $20,440,655,695
2021 $3,435,598,073 $19,444,935,097
2020 $3,227,847,281 $15,342,236,164
2019 $2,871,555,326 $16,874,405,465
2018 $2,913,411,408 $16,867,326,402
2017 $2,831,362,208 $14,929,487,485
2016 $2,618,093,125 $14,023,890,265
2015 $2,810,532,912 $14,383,107,763
2014 $2,705,826,648 $18,203,966,896
2013 $2,451,624,638 $17,595,744,798
2012 $2,327,402,363 $17,170,464,016
2011 $2,235,812,880 $18,210,307,744
2010 $2,032,135,192 $14,372,593,020
2009 $1,775,495,032 $12,113,699,068
2008 $1,611,835,857 $15,571,348,344
2007 $1,356,199,387 $12,455,409,587
2006 $1,273,375,078 $10,327,598,306
2005 $1,117,113,080 $9,582,783,991
2004 $915,257,323 $7,770,219,008
2003 $784,654,424 $6,511,903,365
2002 $825,394,519 $5,335,451,100
2001 $876,794,723 $5,023,265,413
2000 $870,486,066 $5,080,483,629
1999 $808,077,223 $4,662,992,036
1998 $893,770,740 $4,483,417,310
1997 $972,896,268 $5,326,817,115
1996 $869,033,856 $5,694,040,003
1995 $1,000,428,394 $4,958,845,648
1994 $925,030,590 $4,190,819,344
1993 $938,632,612 $4,378,645,081
1992 $1,083,037,671 $5,592,390,827
1991 $1,167,398,478 $5,402,919,785
1990 $1,132,101,253 $5,952,293,765
1989 $1,113,924,130 $4,186,411,464
1988 $1,082,403,219 $3,834,503,376
1987 $1,131,466,494 $3,281,797,043
1986 $1,201,725,497 $3,403,638,189
1985 $1,149,979,286 $3,339,914,757
1984 $987,143,931 $3,561,451,561
1983 $1,082,926,304 $3,391,275,732
1982 $1,013,222,222 $3,618,007,841
1981 $969,046,667 $3,862,269,121
1980 $919,726,667 $4,279,637,942
1979 $782,496,667 $3,030,251,120
1978 $610,225,556 $2,389,479,272
1977 $547,535,556 $2,809,349,069
1976 $448,412,754 $3,009,409,974
1975 $420,986,667 $2,157,592,940
1974 $345,263,492 $1,544,216,002
1973 $304,339,524 $722,780,701
1972 $246,804,571 $430,508,359
1971 $252,842,286 $381,687,073
1970 $242,732,571 $323,802,476
1969 $190,205,714 $318,124,701
1968 $183,200,000 $294,468,564
1967 $178,297,143 $271,543,680
1966 $165,444,571 $245,849,781
1965 $158,994,963 $226,474,286
1964 $260,750,008 $215,679,855
1963 $232,749,998 $154,480,244
1962 $213,500,006 $182,796,536
1961 $202,999,992 $167,637,907
1960 $195,999,990 $141,468,978

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Gabon by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $303 $1,105 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $265 $1,036 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $255.8 $958 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $234.3 $868 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $245.7 $823 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $246.1 $791 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $232.9 $764 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $254.4 $722 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $250.5 $724 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $234.8 $687 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $231.1 $637 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $230.1 $629 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $216.7 $614 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $198.4 $605 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $189.5 $609 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $166.2 $594 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $161.9 $580 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $147.2 $553 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $125.2 $552 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $111.4 $532 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $121 $545 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $132.2 $528 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $134.5 $519 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $127.5 $523 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $144.5 $533 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $160.3 $513 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $143.2 $513 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $164.9 $548 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $161.9 $619 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $165.3 $634 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $184.9 $640 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $204.7 $636 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $202.6 $598 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $203.6 - $4,374 -
1988 $201.7 - $4,119 -
1987 $215.6 - $3,624 -
1986 $234.3 - $3,865 -
1985 $228.4 - $3,898 -
1984 $200.4 - $4,273 -
1983 $225.2 - $4,182 -
1982 $216.4 - $4,584 -
1981 $212.2 - $5,026 -
1980 $209.8 - $5,718 -
1979 $186.2 - $4,155 -
1978 $148.8 - $3,360 -
1977 $137.4 - $4,048 -
1976 $115.5 - $4,441 -
1975 $110.9 - $3,258 -
1974 $93.2 - $2,384 -
1973 $84.3 - $1,140 -
1972 $68.2 - $693 -
1971 $69.9 - $627 -
1970 $68.8 - $543 -
1969 $55.1 - $545 -
1968 $54.2 - $515 -
1967 $54 - $482 -
1966 $51.4 - $443 -
1965 $50.6 - $415 -
1964 $85.3 - $400 -
1963 $78.4 - $290.7 -
1962 $73.4 - $348 -
1961 $71.6 - $323 -
1960 $70.9 - $276.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Burundi Gabon
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
20.4%
2010
Population
14833763
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 19.8% 83%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 26% 53% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 28.5% 38% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 38% 25.7% 22.6% 26%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 33.1% 137% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 27.8% 81%
2000 21.7% 120% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 29.7% 57%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 24% 112% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 19.2% - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 17.4% - 22.6% 90%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 101/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Gabon
2024 -4.84% -3.84%
2023 -7.7% 1.79%
2022 -10.7% -0.89%
2021 -4.6% -1.93%
2020 -6.58% -2.19%
2019 -6.4% 2.13%
2018 -6.66% -0.21%
2017 -5.01% -1.7%
2016 -7.11% -4.71%
2015 -7.56% -1.12%
2014 -3.93% 5.98%
2013 -1.9% -3.07%
2012 -3.79% 6.2%
2011 -3.49% 1.41%
2010 -3.64% 2.7%
2009 -5.14% 6.77%
2008 -2.7% 11%
2007 -2.51% 8.06%
2006 -9.92% 8.67%
2005 -10.6% 7.98%
2004 -14.9% 6.99%
2003 -13.7% 7.75%
2002 -4.9% 3.72%
2001 -7.78% 4.07%
2000 -5.66% 11.1%
1999 -5.33% 1.11%
1998 -4.43% -13.1%
1997 -4.48% 1.41%
1996 -8.61% 2.12%
1995 -3.72% 2.64%
1994 -1.76% -1.53%
1993 -1.22% -5.35%
1992 -4.16% -4.9%
1991 4.14% -2.03%
1990 8.14% -3.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $149M, equivalent to 4.84% of GDP. This compares to Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Gabon
2024 20.2% 1.17%
2023 26.9% 3.63%
2022 18.8% 4.23%
2021 8.4% 1.09%
2020 7.32% 1.35%
2019 -0.69% 2.46%
2018 -2.81% 4.75%
2017 16.1% 2.65%
2016 5.56% 2.11%
2015 5.54% -0.34%
2014 4.41% 4.69%
2013 7.94% 0.51%
2012 18.2% 2.65%
2011 9.59% 1.26%
2010 6.49% 1.46%
2009 10.6% 1.89%
2008 24.4% 5.26%
2007 8.41% 5.03%
2006 2.75% -1.41%
2005 13.3% 3.71%
2004 8.18% 0.41%
2003 10.6% 2.24%
2002 -1.37% 0.04%
2001 9.3% 2.14%
2000 24.4% 0.5%
1999 3.39% -1.94%
1998 12.5% 1.45%
1997 31.1% 3.97%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Miscellaneous $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Gabon
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$121M
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Burundi Gabon
Economic freedom 40.2 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 120/197
Property rights 27.2 30
Government integrity 15.5 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 19.9
Tax burden 76.1 76.5
Government spending 76.3 85.5
Fiscal health 14.6 87.9
Business freedom 27.2 63.6
Labor freedom 49.9 55.4
Monetary freedom 55.5 80.9
Trade freedom 52.2 57.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Gabon
2026 40.2 56.6
2025 39.7 56.3
2024 38.4 56.9
2023 41.9 56.1
2022 39.4 55.8
2021 49.9 58.1
2020 49 56.7
2019 48.9 56.3
2018 50.9 58
2017 53.2 58.6
2016 53.9 59
2015 53.7 58.3
2014 51.4 57.8
2013 49 57.8
2012 48.1 56.4
2011 49.6 56.7
2010 47.5 55.4
2009 48.8 55
2008 46.2 54.2
2007 46.9 54.8
2006 48.7 56.1
2005 - 54.8
2004 - 57.1
2003 - 58.7
2002 - 58
2001 - 55
2000 42.6 58.2
1999 41.1 60.5
1998 44.7 59.2
1997 45.4 58.8
1996 - 55.7
1995 - 57.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Gabon
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
19.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/gabon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.